Library collection aims to boost literacy, English skills

Reading for Tomorrow features more than 200 books, DVDs and CDs

A 200-item collection of books, tapes, DVDs and compact discs
designed to improve literacy and English language skills in adults will
be available to the public today at Corpus Christi's Central
Library.

The collection, titled "Reading for Tomorrow," was paid for by a
$10,000 grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation and targets three
groups: people entering the work force, people looking to improve
literacy skills and those who speak English as a second language.
Scripps Howard owns the Caller-Times.

"We're hoping that this will make available some tools that people
might not have access to on their own," said LaQuita Hilzinger, acting
manager of collections for the library. "If we can help to foster
literacy in parents of local families, then that will mean their
children's chances of success will be much improved."

The library already had small parts of the collection available but
was able to greatly expand and codify materials with the grant. Some
examples of the Reading for Tomorrow collection include DVDs for
learning English, a variety of GED prep books, CDs to help learn
English and a number of books written for adults but at an easier
reading level.

All library cardholders are welcome to borrow from the collection,
according to library officials.

"With the collection, we wanted to reach people who aren't
necessarily our biggest users, and I think we've done that," Hilzinger
said.